Treadmills

A treadmill, or running machine, is designed primarily to give you a cardiovascular workout. Treadmills are easy to use and modern treadmills invariably have a simple start/stop button and allow you to change speed mid workout. Newer innovations like assisted folding treadmills (using hydraulics) and improved cushioning technology have improved on the excellent day-to-day usability of treadmills.

Treadmills work on muscles in the legs like the calves, quads (thighs), hamstrings and glutes (buttocks). A treadmill is useful for those who want to improve cardiovascular fitness, lose weight and obtain a better BMI score. Some of our newer treadmills have touch screen displays and memory card facilities which make it easier to monitor your progress and feedback like calorie burn, BMI and even body fat percentage.

If you're looking to buy a treadmill then it's always a good idea to know what you want before you start looking. Gymworld will always have a treadmill to suit any level of fitness. If you're a beginner then you can start with a more easy to use treadmill like the Reebok i-Run+ Treadmill. The i-Run+ is pre-assembled so you simply remove the treadmill from the box, stand it up and start running. For more advanced runners you can opt for a more heavy duty, more advanced treadmill like the Horizon Fitness Elite 507 Treadmill which has received numerous rewards from fitness review magazines and websites.

A good example of a treadmill workout is the interval training workout “Sprint 8” that can be found on Vision Fitness Treadmills. These workouts are pre-programmed and are designed to improve fitness quickly and also to burn fat and help weight loss. The Sprint 8 program helps the body to produce human growth hormone which in turns strips fat and gives you a lean, fit body. A half hour workout using Sprint 8 at a moderate level will burn over 300 calories for a typical person.

When purchasing a treadmill there are several factors that you should take into consideration.

Warranties – Always check the warranty on a treadmill before making your treadmill purchase. Usually most treadmills come with both parts and labour warranties, as this ensures that you wont have to repair the treadmill yourself if something was to go wrong with it. Generally most treadmills now come with at least a one year parts and labour warranty. There are certain treadmills by selected fitness brands that often come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and on some models even the motor will be backed by a lifetime warranty.

Space – Before purchasing your treadmill we recommend that know whether the treadmill which you are planning on purchasing will fit within the space that you have selected. If you have a small space then we recommend a folding treadmill as they are fantastic space savers, which can be stored away easily. A folding treadmill quality is often just as good as non-folding treadmills.If you are planning to use the treadmill for running rather than just walking or light jogging then select a treadmill which has a good-sized running deck as your strides lengthen at higher speeds. A longer deck will mean that the entire treadmill will be larger.

The User/Users - It is important to consider who will be using the treadmill. Different types of users may have certain types of requirements. A heavy user will have to check the maximum user weight of the treadmill, a tall user is likely to need a long running surface to be able to run comfortably. For users who have cardiac problems then we recommend a treadmill which features a heart rate monitor or some form of controlled training as this will ensure a safe and effective workout.

Types of Treadmills – Treadmills come in three variations.

Folding Treadmills – Folding treadmills are an excellent solution for those who have smaller living spaces or multi-purpose rooms, as they simply fold up and can be stored away easily.

The key when purchasing a folding treadmill is to look for stability, ease of folding and weight capacity. In the past folding treadmills were heavily criticised for not being as stable as non folding treadmills but the demand for folding treadmills has lead to fitness equipment manufacturers investing significant amounts of money into developing them and ensuring that they are produced to the exact standards and quality of non-folding treadmills.

Non-Folding Treadmills – Non – folding treadmills are great for those who have larger amounts of space in their home or who have a designated gym or fitness area in their home. Non Folding Treadmills can tend to be slightly more stable than folding treadmills (this does not mean folding treadmills are not stable). Because of the requirements and specifications of the folding frame design on folding treadmills, most folding treadmills units are naturally less stable than non-folding treadmills.

If you look at stability ratings for treadmills, non-folding machines almost always come out on top. So the main advantage to non-folding models is a very compelling one - especially if you're a runner purchasing a treadmill.

Commercial Treadmills - Commercial treadmills are ideally suited for use within commercial establishments such as gyms, health clubs and fitness halls. Although commercial models are more often than not used in gyms and health clubs many home users prefer to purchase a commercial treadmill as they often represent and embody the highest quality, advanced features that you can get on treadmills, similar to the standards you find in gymnasiums.

Each variation of treadmill have their advantages and disadvantages but it really just depends on your preference, fitness requirements and the quality of the treadmill.

Treadmill Motor and Speed – A motorised treadmill will allow you to choose the speed of your workout. Certain treadmill reach upto 25km, these treadmills are often commercial rated treadmills. If you are looking to use a treadmill for basic, regular use then we recommend that you purchase a treadmill which has 1.5 continuous HP (horse power) upwards. If you are planning to use the treadmill to carry out regular bouts of long distance running then we recommend you consider a 3.0HP motor or more, a smaller motor will not provide enough power and speed range you require.

Computer and Programmes – These days most treadmills come with a built in computer display which enables you to select customised workout programmes, incline, speed and other options. Workout programmes are a fantastic way to keep yourself motivated during your training as workout programmes offer a wide variety of fitness routines. If you find that you get bored easily whilst exercising, it may be worth investing in a machine which has a range of fitness programmes as this could help you enjoy your workout out more and increase your motivation. There are a variety of different programmes available depending on which treadmill you choose. One of the most popular programmes is a heart rate training programme. With a heart rate training programme the treadmill automatically adjusts the speed and incline in order to keep you in your target heart rate zone. Heart rate training programmes are extremely popular as it has been proven that they aid weight loss and improve performance and provided a safer more controlled workout.

Surface and Comfort – The surface of the treadmill should feel sturdy enough to support you and also increase the shock absorption to your body and decrease the amount of force which is applied to your legs. The handle bars should be in a comfortable position and be easy to grip in order to ensure that they do not block your arm motion. The belt must be wide enough and long enough for your stride.

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For easy and accurate BMI and body fat measurement, Gymworld recommend the Withings WiFi Body Scale.